Gisela "GiGi" Chernak, 70, of 1295 New Castle, Hoffman Estates, Ill., passed away after a brave struggle with cancer, at St. Alexius Hospital, on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, with her family at her side.
Gisela was born and raised in Danzig, Germany and came to Bessemer, Mich., in 1957 with her parents, Erich and Herta Liedtke and two sisters, Inga, and her son, Detlef, and Karin.
On May 12, 1990, she was united in marriage with James Chernak at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, Ill.
Gisela was a good cook, enjoyed dancing and loved animals. She played the guitar and sang German songs whenever the family got together.
Her hobbies included watching the Chicago Bears and the Cubs.
GiGi was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and was a joy to be with. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
GiGi is survived by her beloved husband, Jim; two children, Gene (Lisa) Saari and Sonya (Wade) Warczak; four grandchildren, Sydney, Samantha, Trevor and Caila; her mother, Herta "Mutti" Liedtke; two sisters, Inga (Niles) Sanders and Karin (Jim) Cebolski; an aunt, Doris Pinkalla in Germany; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Erich "Pappi," on March 15, 1999.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 8, in Hoffman Estates.
For local information, please call Inga Sanders at (906) 667-0737.